TOKYOPOP posted a new article recently by Michael Paolilli – Production Artist—titled Michael’s Blizzard Blast, where he expresses his feelings working on the Blizzard mangas. He confesses he has been a Blizzard fan for a decade since the release of Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, was hooked to StarCraft since 1998, and has a level 80 Hunter. It’s great to know that the people behind the books and the mangas are deeply involved in the universes prior to working on their printed projects. You can read his article at TOKYOPOP.

Blizzard Quote:

My name is Michael Paolilli, and I am Production Artist here at TOKYOPOP. I put together all of the books we produce here, in particular the Blizzard titles Warcraft and StarCraft. I am also the Creative Consultant on those titles.

It is because of those two facts that I am writing to you today, to give you a small glimpse at the work behind our books.

First I will start with a little background. I have been a HUGE fan of Blizzard’s games since back in the mid to late 90’s when i got my hands on Warcraft 2. But the game I really fell in love with was StarCraft, and Blizzard has had me hooked ever since. When we here at TOKOYPOP relaunched our Blizzard co-pub program back in 2008 I jumped at the chance to not only continue, but be a part of our work on these best selling series.

TOKYOPOP posted a new article recently by Michael Paolilli – Production Artist—titled Michael’s Blizzard Blast, where he expresses his feelings working on the Blizzard mangas. He confesses he has been a Blizzard fan for a decade since the release of Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, was hooked to StarCraft since 1998, and has a level 80 Hunter. It’s great to know that the people behind the books and the mangas are deeply involved in the universes prior to working on their printed projects. You can read his article at TOKYOPOP.

Blizzard Quote:

My name is Michael Paolilli, and I am Production Artist here at TOKYOPOP. I put together all of the books we produce here, in particular the Blizzard titles Warcraft and StarCraft. I am also the Creative Consultant on those titles.

It is because of those two facts that I am writing to you today, to give you a small glimpse at the work behind our books.

First I will start with a little background. I have been a HUGE fan of Blizzard’s games since back in the mid to late 90’s when i got my hands on Warcraft 2. But the game I really fell in love with was StarCraft, and Blizzard has had me hooked ever since. When we here at TOKOYPOP relaunched our Blizzard co-pub program back in 2008 I jumped at the chance to not only continue, but be a part of our work on these best selling series.

Christie Golden is attending StarFest in Denver, Colorado on April 17-19. She will be premiering ARTHAS there and signing books. She will have copies of various of her novels for sale. Stop by and say hello.

TOKYOPOP is sponsoring a monthly online contest to find the funniest, most rib-busting Warcraft one-page comic strips created by you, the fans! Each month one winner will be selected to receive the grand prize—a collection of TOKYOPOP/Blizzard Entertainment manga! Additionally, winning artists can potentially be chosen by TOKYOPOP to be an artist art in upcoming Warcraft and StarCraft manga.

Click here for contest rules and details! Now go draw those comic strips—and get a sense of humor!

Aaron Rosenberg and Keith R.A. DeCandido will be at the 2009 I-Con 28 held through April 3-5 at the Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) Grant Campus in Brentwood, Long Island (New York)—within The Health, Sports, Education/Convention Center.

If you are planning to attend the event, feel free to look them up and say hi, take a photo and get your Warcraft and Starcraft books signed.

Another incentive to go to the event, on Friday March 3 you can find Mark Goddard (Major Don West in Lost in Space, 1965) on a Q&A from 7pm-7:30pm at the Main Stage; and on Saturday, March 4 from 3pm-3:30pm and Sunday 6 from 4pm-5pm.

Sean Astin—(Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings) has a Q&A on Friday March 3 from 8pm-9pm on the main stage. Saturday at 11am on SCCC Hallway.

Gary Graham (Ambassador Soval in “STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE”) on Saturday, March 4 from 1pm-1:30pm and Sunday March 5 from 12pm-12:30pm.

Sat, 5pm
Marriott Cezanne
Balancing Writing and Life: so many words, so little time
Rosenberg, Freedman, Kessman, Mains, Gannon
A topic almost any writer can identify with. Tips on keeping your love for and need to write from overwhelming the rest of your life

Sat, 6pm
Marriott Matisse
Know Your Craft: the elements that bring a story to life
Parris, Rosenberg, Paffenroth, Mains
While plot, character, POV, setting etc can vary in importance to the story you want to tell, the writer must master all

From my inside contacts I know the Starcraft Ghost: Academy trilogy (TOKYOPOP) by Keith R.A. Decandido is scheduled on 2010, and Aaron Rosenberg will write a sequel to Starcraft: Queen of Blades—as revealed in our interview with Chris Metzen and Micky Neilson at the 2009 New York Comic Con. It might likely be on sale by 2010. (Update: Simon & Schuster informed me today there is no Rosenberg book scheduled.

I think Chris Metzen told me outside the interview that he had written a story in Starcraft: Frontline Vol. 4 featuring Jim Raynor (Update: Tokyopop confirmed it is volume 4 – street date October 13, 2009). So keep an eye on that one for sure.

Now fresh from the oven, you can count with another StarCraft novel by Graham McNeil.

We have been covering the Warcraft Legends Marathon in the past days, and hope you have loved the free stories TOKYOPOP has allowed fans to read. For that matter, I wish to share with you a special offer announced today by TOKYOPOP at one of their affiliate bookstores that knocks 33% off the retail price on all graphic novel mangas including Warcraft and Starcraft. And that includes Pre-orders. If you would love to start collecting the Warcraft mangas, this is the right time to do so. Let me tell you how to. Note: I created and account, and tested the coupon code and without. It does work.

1. Register an account at RightStuf.com—and login.
2. Click on the Purchase links at each manga page (below) to keep adding books to your shopping cart.
3. When you are done with your purchases, click the shopping cart button at the bottom of the page. (You have the option to pay through a secure server or via Fax/Mailed Order.)
4. Press the Ready to Check Out button on the top right and enter the following coupon code:

We were at the New York Comic Con 2009 to bring you videos of the event. Today, you can watch the book signing session held at the Tokyopop booth where Blizzard Entertainment Senior VP of Creative Development Chris Metzen and the Senior Writer & Voice Director Micky Neilson joined book writers Keith R.A. DeCandido (Starcraft Ghost: Academy), Josh Elder (StarCraft: Frontline Vol. 1) and Grace Randolph (Starcraft Frontline Vol. 2) to meet and greet fans.

At the end of video # 2 you will see Chris Metzen, Micky Neilson signing the Starcraft Comic Book Posters exclusively for our giveaway to fans. They are also signed by the manga writers. If you want the opportunity to win one of these signed posters follow the link to participate.

If you were at the event, you will probably have great memories to share with your friends and guildmates. Enjoy.

We were at the New York Comic Con 2009 to bring you videos of the event. Today, you can watch the book signing session held at the Tokyopop booth where Blizzard Entertainment Senior VP of Creative Development Chris Metzen and the Senior Writer & Voice Director Micky Neilson joined book writers Keith R.A. DeCandido (Starcraft Ghost: Academy), Josh Elder (StarCraft: Frontline Vol. 1) and Grace Randolph (Starcraft Frontline Vol. 2) to meet and greet fans.

At the end of video # 2 you will see Chris Metzen, Micky Neilson signing the Starcraft Comic Book Posters exclusively for our giveaway to fans. They are also signed by the manga writers. If you want the opportunity to win one of these signed posters follow the link to participate.

If you were at the event, you will probably have great memories to share with your friends and guildmates. Enjoy.

Many Blizzard fans attended the 2009 New York Comic Con for the opportunity to meet the thundergod Chris Metzen (Senior VP of Creative Development) and Micky Neilson (Senior Writer & Voice Director) during the Simon & Schuster book signing session.

There were a lot of happy fans handing over their copies of World of Warcraft: Night of the Dragon, the Comic Book Vol. 1 hardcover, even the Wrath of the Lich King Collector’s Edition Art Book. I remember one of the fans brought the wall-mounting accessory of the Frostmourne sword replica to be signed. It was a fun experience to both Alliance and Horde players; and the developers were quite satisfied and passionate about the fans’ reactions.

Blizzplanet and WorldofWar.net was there to interview both Blizzard developers, and to record most of the book signing session. Below you can watch all three videos.